Method of detecting residual detergent and device for detecting residual detergent

ABSTRACT

It is intended to provide a method whereby residual detergent (surfactant) can be conveniently and accurately detected in the step of washing or rinsing dishes or clothes, and a test device usable in examining the rinsed conditions. Namely, a method characterized by comprising bringing a test substance with a composition (test agent) comprising an oxalic acid ester, a fluorescent substance, hydrogen peroxide and a strong acid and thus easily detecting the residual detergent sticking to the surface of the test subject from the chemiluminescence thus caused; and a test device which is most suitable for storing the test agent as described above.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of conveniently and accurately detecting residual detergent (surfactant or alkaline component) and device for detecting residual detergent.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, suitable surfactants are used as detergents in food processing plants and for washing clothes and dishes in general household. The detergent used is washed away under running water, followed by drying. However, whether the residual detergent (surfactant) exists after drying has not been checked. The impact of the residual detergent on human body has been considered to be one of the factors that cause allergies. A simple method for detecting the presence of the residual detergent has thus been desired.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-320315 describes a method of detecting a surfactant adhering on a surface of a specimen, comprising wiping a test portion of the specimen surface with a detecting medium to transfer the test portion to the detecting medium, bringing the detecting medium into contact with a medium containing a dye, and detecting the surfactant on the basis of changes in color tone of the dye caused by the presence of the surfactant. However, changes in color are often too subtle to identify with naked eye; moreover, the sensitivity has not been satisfactory.

The inventor of the present invention has found that a chemiluminescent liquid emits intense light when brought into contact with trace amounts of residual detergent, and made the present invention on the basis of the further studies.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application     Publication No. 8-320315

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of conveniently and accurately detecting residual detergent (surfactant) and a device for detecting residual detergent.

Means for Solving the Problems

The object of the present invention described above can be achieved through the following features.

In a composition containing an oxalate, a fluorescent substance, hydrogen peroxide, and a strong acid, examples of the oxalate include bis(2,4,5-trichloro-6-carbobutoxyphenyl oxalate) and bis(2,4,5-trichloro-6-carbopentoxyphenyl oxalate).

Examples of the fluorescent substance include 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, 1-methoxy-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, perylene, 1,5-dichloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, 1,8-dichloro-9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, rubrene, monochloro and dichloro-substituted 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene, 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)tetracene, 9,10-diphenylanthracene, 16,17-dihexyloxyviolanthrone, 2-methyl-9,10-bis-(phenylethynyl)anthracene, 9,10-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-chloroanthracene, 9,10-bis-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-chloroanthracene, 16,17-didecycloxyviolanthrone, LUMOGEN RED (a perylenedicarboxylmide fluorescent agent that emits red color), LUMOGEN YELLOW (a perylenedicarboxylmide fluorescent agent that emits yellow color), LUMOGEN ORANGE (a perylenedicarboxylmide fluorescent agent that emits orange color), 5,12-bis-(phenylethynyl)naphthacene, 5,6,11,12-tetraphenylnaphthacene, and mixtures of these.

In the present invention, among the fluorescent substances described above, those that emit blue color are effective. For example, a chemiluminescent composition containing a fluorescent substance, 9,10-bis-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-chloroanthracene (blue emission) is a transparent liquid under naked eye and that the liquid is not emitting light can be easily recognized with naked eye. However, if other fluorescent substances, such as those in yellow, green, and orange, are used, they develop illusion as if they emit light when observed in a poor light.

The strong acid used in the present invention may be an organic acid or an inorganic acid. The strong acid functions as a negative catalyst that suppresses the reaction of the oxalate with hydrogen peroxide. The organic strong acid is preferably an aromatic or fatty strong acid having a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, or a carboxylic acid group. Examples of the aromatic sulfonic acid include benzene sulfonic acid and p-toluene sulfonic acid. Examples of the fatty sulfonic acid include methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, and methanedisulfonic acid. Examples of the inorganic strong acid include hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid. In this invention, for example, 0.005 to 0.05% of sulfuric acid (about 95%) may be added to one of a composition (A) containing an oxalate, a fluorescent substance, and an organic solvent and a composition (B) containing hydrogen peroxide and an organic solvent, or a total of 0.005 to 0.05% of sulfuric acid may be added to both of the composition (A) and the composition (B).

In this invention, the composition (detecting agent) containing the oxalate, the fluorescent substance, hydrogen peroxide, and the strong acid is kept in non-emission state until it contacts with residual detergent. In order to do this, the strong acid is used to suppress reaction of the oxalate with hydrogen peroxide. In this manner, since emission from a test portion of a test subject that has not been emitting light at all can be identified with naked eye, emission can be easily recognized. Although this recognition is possible in a poor light, recognition is further facilitated in a light-shielded container. Examples of the solvent for the chemiluminescent composition of the present invention include acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), triethyl citrate, benzyl benzoate, butyl benzoate, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (DMM), and phthalates such as dimethyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate. Moreover, tert-butanol and ethyl alcohol are preferred as the alcohol.

Although the above-described mixture of the oxalate, the fluorescent substance composition, hydrogen peroxide, and the strong acid has reaction suppressed, the suppression is not perfect and degradation tends to occur after four to five months. Thus, it is best to separately store the composition A containing the oxalate, the fluorescent substance, and the organic solvent and the composition B containing hydrogen peroxide and the organic solvent. The strong acid is added to one or both of the composition A and composition B.

The detection method of the present invention is effective for detecting various types of surfactants. Examples of the surfactants include cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants.

The composition A and the composition B are stored in separate containers, and immediately before testing, the composition in one container is transferred to the other for mixing. A structure in which one of the compositions is charged in a flexible container and the other composition is charged in a breakable ampule contained in the flexible container so that immediately before testing, the flexible container can be bent to break the ampule inside and shaken so that the two compositions mix with each other is optimum as a convenient device for detecting residual detergent.

The detecting medium preferably has a shape of a cotton-tipped swab, such as a bar provided with a fibrous impregnating material 7 that does not cause chemiluminescent reaction with a testing agent (FIG. 6).

Advantages

According to the present invention, emission can be readily recognized with naked eye by directly applying or dropping the testing agent onto a test subject, and thus the presence or absence of residual detergent can be easily and conveniently identified. If the test subject is large in size or of a nature that does not allow direct application, a detecting medium is used for transfer and the medium is brought into contact with the detecting agent so that the residual detergent can be identified by emission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a hollow container 3 of a device for detecting residual detergent of the present invention, B is a cross-sectional illustration of the device for detecting the residual detergent, and C is an illustration showing one example of a condition of use.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a filter 6 inserted into the device for detecting residual detergent of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing placing one of compositions A and B in a hollow container, placing the other composition in a hollow container having a cap with a nozzle, and discharging the one in the hollow container into the hollow container having the cap with the nozzle so as to mix the two compositions.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing two hollow containers, in which one of compositions A and B is charged and sealed in one of the hollow containers, the other composition is charged and sealed in the other hollow container, and the compositions A and B are charged into another container having a cap with a nozzle from end openings of the two containers so as to mix the two compositions.

FIG. 5 is an illustration showing two hollow containers each having a pointed portion, in which one of compositions A and B is charged and sealed in one of the hollow containers, the other composition is charged and sealed in the other hollow container, and ends of the pointed portions of the hollow containers are opened so that the composition in one of the hollow container is charged into the other hollow container to mix the two compositions.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a testing medium of the present invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1: Composition A, 2: Composition B, 3: Hollow container, 4:     Container having a cap with a nozzle, 5: Breakable ampule, 6:     Filter, 7: Fibrous impregnating material

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in further detail by examples below.

Example 1

A solution containing 5 wt % of bis(2,4,5-trichloro-6-carbopentoxyphenyl oxalate) as the oxalate, 0.1 wt % of 9,10-bis-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-chloroanthracene as the blue fluorescent substance, and 94.69 wt % of ATBC as a solvent was prepared (composition A). A solution containing 3 wt % of hydrogen peroxide, 0.01 wt % of methanesulfonic acid as the organic strong acid, and 82.16 wt % of TEC and 14.38 wt % of ethanol as the solvent was prepared (composition B). The composition A was mixed with the composition B. The resulting solution was transparent and no emission phenomenon was observed.

The above-described testing agent was used to test the detergents produced by various manufacturers. The ratio of mixing the composition A to the composition B was 5:1.

The measurement procedure was as follows: 5 cc of the testing agent was placed in a test tube, and 0.6 cc of each of detergent solutions prepared by diluting detergents to 1000 ppm, 100 ppm, 10 ppm, and 1 ppm was added to the testing tube dropwise.

The state of emission was observed in a dark room.

Trade name (manufacturer) Type of surfactant Product classification 1. Humming (Kao Corporation) Cationic surfactant, amine salt type Fabric softener 2. Emal (Kao Corporation) Nonionic surfactant, ether type Laundry detergent 3. Kitchen Kirei Kirei Jokin & Nonionic surfactant, amine alkylene Kitchen bleach Hyohaku (Lion Corporation) oxide 4. Homing (Kao Corporation) Nonionic surfactant, ether type Cleanser 5. More Excellent (Kao Corporation) Nonionic surfactant, alkyl glycoside Kitchen detergent 6. Kitchen Haiter (Kao Corporation) Anionic surfactant, sulfate Kitchen bleach 7. Power Plus Joy (P&G Far East, Anionic surfactant, sulfate and other Kitchen detergent Inc.) components 8. Yashinomi Senzai (Saraya Co., Anionic surfactant sulfate and other Kitchen detergent Ltd.) components 9. Shabondama Kitchen Soap Solid Anionic surfactant, carboxylate Kitchen soap (Shabondama Soap Co.) 10. Murin Top (Lion Corporation) Anionic surfactant, sulfonate Laundry detergent Experimental Results by Observation with Naked Eye in a Dark Room A: Strong emission, B: Emission, C: Weak emission, D: Very weak emission, E: No emission The results rated by the standard above are shown below:

Concentration: Concentration: Concentration: Concentration: Trade name (manufacturer) 1000 ppm 100 ppm 10 ppm 1 ppm 0. No detergent E E E E 1. Humming (Kao Corporation) A B C E 2. Emal (Kao Corporation) C E E E 3. Kitchen Kirei Kirei Jokin & A B D E Hyohaku (Lion Corporation) 4. Homing (Kao Corporation) D D D E 5. More Excellent (Kao A B C E Corporation) 6. Kitchen Haiter (Kao C D D E Corporation) 7. Power Plus Joy (P&G Far C D E E East, Inc.) 8. Yashinomi Senzai (Saraya E E E E Co., Ltd.) 9. Shabondama Kitchen Soap A C E E Solid (Shabondama Soap Co.) 10. Murin Top (Lion Corporation) A C E E

In the experiment above, emission was observed in all detergent at a detergent concentration of 1000 ppm, except for Yashinomi Senzai. Very weak emission was observed for Homing. At a concentration of 100 ppm, no emission was observed from Emal and Yashinomi Senzai.

The surfactant components and other components of the individual products as far as could be investigated are described below:

Trade name (manufacturer) Surfactant component Other component 1. Humming (Kao Corporation) Ester amide-type dialkyl amine salt 2. Emal (Kao Corporation) Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether Stabilizer, pH adjustor 3. Kitchen Kirei Kirei Jokin & Alkyl amine oxide Sodium hypochlorite, sodium Hyohaku (Lion Corporation) hydroxide 4. Homing (Kao Corporation) Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether Polishing agent 5. More Excellent (Kao Alkyl glycoside Stabilizer Corporation) 6. Kitchen Haiter (Kao Sodium alkyl ether sulfate Sodium hypochlorite, sodium Corporation) hydroxide 7. Power Plus Joy (P&G Far Sodium alkyl ether sulfate, alkyl Stabilizer, viscosity adjustor, East, Inc.) amine oxide, polyoxyethylene alkyl enzyme ether 8. Yashinomi Senzai (Saraya Co., Sodium alkyl ether sulfate, fatty acid Ltd.) alkanol amide 9. Shabondama Kithen Soap Solid Fatty acid sodium salt (Shabondama Soap Co.) 10. Murin Top (Lion Corporation) Straight-chain sodium alkyl benzene Alkaline chemical (carbonate, sulfonate, alpha sodium sulfonate silicate), water softener (alumino silicate), stabilizer (sulfate)

Example 2 Experiments of Detecting Residual Detergent

1.

To 2000 cc of water, 1.5 cc of detergent was added, and the resulting mixture was stirred.

2.

The resulting liquid was impregnated in a sponge, and an inner surface of a glass cup was rubbed with the sponge times.

3.

Subsequently, running water (tap water) was poured into the cup until the cup is overfull, and then the cup was emptied. This was accounted as first rinsing. Second and third rinsing was then performed in the same manner. The cup was then placed in a drier to dry.

4.

A testing agent of Example 1 was dropped onto the inner surface of the cup.

5.

Whether emission occurred was observed in a poor light with naked eye.

6.

The results when rinsing was performed by using warm water of 50° C. are also shown below.

First rinsing Second rinsing Third rinsing Tap water More Excellent Emission Emission Weak emission Power Plus Joy Emission Emission Emission Yashinomi Senzai Emission Emission Weak emission Charmy V Quick Emission Emission Weak emission Family Fresh Emission Emission Weak emission Warm water (50° C.) More Excellent Weak emission Weak emission Below detectable level Power Plus Joy Weak emission Weak emission Weak emission Yashinomi Senzai Weak emission Weak emission Below detectable level Charmy V Quick Weak emission Weak emission Below detectable level Family Fresh Weak emission Weak emission Below detectable level

In the examples above, the average results of testing three cups are indicated.

The results show that these commercially available detergents are not easy to wash off with water. It is also shown that although the detergent are more easily washed off with warm water, three times of rinsing are required to completely wash off the detergent.

Example 3

The relationship between the amount of residual detergent and the emission luminance was studied through experiments.

To 50 μl, 25 μl, and 5 μl of detergent, More Excellent, 50 ml, 25 ml, and 5 ml of tap water were respectively added to adjust the concentration to 1000 ppm. Each of the resulting mixture was placed in a thermostatic oven at 80° C. to dry.

(Since the concentration was the same, the amount of tap water added increases with the amount of detergent.)

After each sample was left to stand at room temperature, 10 ml of the testing agent of Example 1 was added, and measurement was conducted after stirring.

The luminance meter was LS100 produced by Minolta Corporation, and the unit of measure was mcd/m² (the luminance meter and the units of measure below are also the same).

Measurement results Amount of detergent added Trade name 50 μl 25 μl 5 μl More Excellent 323 202 134

The results show that the level of luminance increases with the amount of residual detergent and can be used as the standard for understanding the amount of residual detergent in household and plants using the same detergents.

In this invention, it has been confirmed that the testing agent reacts with the minor components in the tap water and thereby emits light. If the level of emission caused by the minor components is high enough to be recognizable with naked eye, the testing becomes incomplete. Thus, the reaction must be suppressed to a degree that the emission is not recognizable. In view of the above, the optimum amount of the methanesulfonic acid was investigated.

Example 4 Reaction of Minor Component in Tap Water with Testing Agent

A testing agent was prepared by adjusting the concentration of methanesulfonic acid of Example 1 as below (A:B=5:1).

Into containers, 50 ml, 25 ml, and 5 ml of tap water was charged and dried at 80° C. To each dried container, 10 ml of the testing agent was added to measure emission.

Concentration of Amount of water methanesulfonic acid 50 ml 25 ml 5 ml 0.001% 116 35 15 0.005% 17 9 9 0.01% 6 6 6 0.015% 7 5 2 0.02% 5 3 3

In the case where methanesulfonic acid was used, the concentration at which no emission was recognized was about 0.01%; however, the concentration varies with the type of the organic strong acid used. Thus, the concentration is not particularly limited to this.

It should also be noted that the sensitivity of human eye to light differs from person to person. It can be assumed that the luminance at which blue light can be recognized in a poor light is about 30 mcd/m².

The following test was conducted next.

Three types of aqueous solutions with detergent (More Excellent) concentrations of 100 ppm, 10 ppm, and 1 ppm, respectively, were prepared with tap water. Glass cups were respectively immersed in the aqueous solutions, emptied, and dried. The testing agent of Example 1 was dropped onto the dried glass cups and the glass cups were observed with naked eye in poor light. Emission was confirmed from the 100 ppm and 10 ppm samples but emission from the 1 ppm could not be confirmed unless in a dark room.

Example 5 Measurement of Emission Luminance after Solution Containing 1000 ppm of Surfactant was Dried

1. Objective

To measure the catalytic effects of anionic, cationic, nonionic, and nonionic surfactants for luminescent liquids.

2. Specimens

The surfactants produced by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd., and indicated in Table 1 below were used as the surfactants.

Surfactants produced by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.

TABLE 1 Surfactant Product name type Composition Concentration 1. Monogen T-423S Anionic Triethanolamine alkyl sulfate 35% 2. Hitenol 330T Anionic Sodium polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether sulfate 35% (3E.O.) 3. Neo-Hitenol L-30 Anionic Disodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfosuccinate 25% 4. Neocol YSK Anionic Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate 70% 5. Neo-Hitenol ECL-30S Anionic Sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether acetate 27% 6. Plysurf A208B Anionic Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphoric acid 99% 7. Catiogen TMP Cationic Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride 29% 8. Catiogen BC-50 Cationic Benzalkonium chloride liquid 50% 9. Amogen S Amphoteric Betaine lauryldimethylaminoacetate 32% 10. Amogen AOL Amphoteric Lauryldimethylamine oxide liquid 32% 11. Noigen CL-200 Nonionic Special ether-type nonionic surfactant 100%  12. Noigen TDS-50 Nonionic Polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether 100%  13. Noigen TDS-200D Nonionic Polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether 100%  14. Dianol CDE Nonionic Coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide 100%  15. Sorgen TW-80V Nonionic Polyoxyethylene sorbitane monooleate (20 100%  E.O.) 3.

Measurement Instrument

Luminance meter: MINOLTA LS-100

4.

Experiment Procedure

(1) Each surfactant was diluted with water to a concentration of 25 wt %.

(2) From the 25% surfactant solution prepared as above, 25 μl was sampled and charged in a 100 ml beaker, and 25 ml of water was added to the beaker to adjust the concentration to ppm. The resulting mixture was thoroughly stirred.

(3) The beaker of (2) was placed in a thermostatic oven at 80° C. and dried until moisture was gone (1 day).

(4) The fluorescent liquid shown in Table 2 was mixed with an oxidizing liquid at a volume ratio of 5:1. The resulting liquid (10 ml) was poured into the beaker dried in (3) and thoroughly stirred.

(5) The emission luminance of the luminance liquid 1 minute and 10 minutes after the liquid was poured into the beaker was measured.

(6) Samples with weak emission were readjusted so that the concentration in (2) was increased to 5000 ppm and 10000 ppm and were subjected to the operations of (3) and onward to measure the emission luminance.

TABLE 2 Luminescence liquid composition Chemical name Conc. Fluorescent Oxalic acid ester Bis[3,4,6-trichloro-2-(3- 0.123 mol/L liquid, oxalate CPPO methylbutyloxycarbonyl)phenyl]oxalate Fluorescent substance 2-Chloro 9,10-Bis(4-ethoxy 2.45 mmol/L 2-CIBEPA phenylanthracene) Solvent ATBC Acetyl tributyl citrate 70 vol % BZB Benzyl benzoate 30 vol % Oxidizing Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide 3 wt % liquid, activator Acid Methanesulfonic acid 1.5 mmol/L Solvent TEC Triethyl citrate 80 vol % ETOH Ethanol 20 vol % 5. Experimental Results

Emission could be confirmed from all surfactants. However, some surfactants showed weak catalytic effects for emission. However, emission could be confirmed by increasing the concentration to 10000 ppm. The results show that the surfactants used in the experiment have catalytic effects although there are differences in reactivity for luminescence liquids depending on the type of the surfactant.

1 to 6: Anionic surfactants

7 to 8: Cationic surfactants

9 and 10: Amphoteric surfactants

11 to 15: Nonionic surfactants

E=No emission, D=very weak emission, C=weak emission, B=emission, A=intense emission

TABLE 3 Surfactant concentration: 1000 ppm Emission luminance [mcd/m²] Emission observed Test After 1 min After 10 min with naked eye specimens First Second Third First Second Third After 1 min After 10 min pH Blank 3 2 3 1 1 1 E E 1. Monogen T-423S 2 1 3 4 1 2 E E 7.1 2. Hitenol 330T 23 15 22 15 11 13 D D 8.5 3. Neo-Hitenol L-30 111 186 123 20 25 18 C D 5.5 4. Neocol YSK 316 289 302 267 255 234 B B 7.1 5. Neo-Hitenol ECL-30S 27390 23180 24520 7148 6982 8310 A B 6.1 6. Plysurf A208B 10 19 17 383 265 118 D B 1.3 7. Catiogen TMP 2 3 3 8746 7986 6548 E B 6.9 8. Catiogen BC-50 14500 130210 14370 8 3 6 A E 8.6 9. Amogen S 1270 1140 1223 523 438 521 B B 5.6 10. Amogen AOL 25 18 20 3 2 5 D E 7.8 11. Noigen CL-200 10500 10300 14160 4010 3289 4105 A B 8.0 12. Noigen TDS-50 15 18 10 26 18 15 D D 6.2 13. Noisgen TDS-200D 14 13 12 5 3 5 D E 6.4 14. Dianol CDE 3 1 5 5 1 5 E E 9.8 15. Sorgen TW-80V 10 12 15 3 5 3 D E 9.7

TABLE 4 Surfactant concentration: 5000 ppm Emission luminance [mcd/m²] Emission observed Test After 1 min After 10 min with naked eye specimens First Second Third First Second Third After 1 min After 10 min Blank 3 2 3 1 1 1 E E 1. Monogen T-423S 2 1 3 4 1 2 E E 10. Amogen AOL 14140 14500 15000 10 9 13 A D 14. Dianol CDE 3 1 5 5 1 5 E E

TABLE 5 Surfactant concentration: 1000 ppm Emission luminance [mcd/m²] Emission observed Test After 1 min After 10 min with naked eye specimens First Second Third First Second Third After 1 min After 10 min Blank 3 2 3 1 1 1 E E 1. Monogen T-423S 3 3 2 50 55 53 E D 14. Dianol CDE 647 653 686 233 254 210 B B

Names in English of the surfactants described above used in INCI are as shown below.

Product name Chemical name Other names or INCI codes 1. Monogen T-423S Triethanolamine alkyl sulfate TEA alkyl(C12, 13) sulfate 2. Hitenol 330T Sodium polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether Sodium trideceth sulfate sulfate (3E.O.) 3. Neo-Hitenol L-30 Disodium polyoxyethylene lauryl Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate sulfosuccinate 4. Neocol YSK Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate 5. Neo-Hitenol ECL-30S Sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether Sodium laureth-4 acetate acetate 6. Plysurf A208B Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphoric Laureth-2 phospahate acid 7. Catiogen TMP Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride Cetrimonium chloride 8. Catiogen BC-50 Benzalkonium chloride liquid Benzalkonium chloride 9. Amogen S Betaine lauryldimethylaminoacetate Lauryl betaine 10. Amogen AOL Lauryldimethylamine oxide liquid Lauramine oxide 11. Noigen CL-200 Special ether-type nonionic surfactant 12. Noigen TDS-50 Polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether Trideceth-5 13. Noigen TDS-200D Polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether Trideceth-20 14. Dianol CDE Coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide Cocamide DEA, glycerin 15. Sorgen TW-80V Polyoxyethylene sorbitane monooleate Polysolvate 80 (20 E.O.) INCI: International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredient Product name Chem/Other name or INCI 1. Monogen T-423S Tri ethanol almine alkyl(C12, 13) sulfate, water 2. Hitenol 330T Sodium trideceth sulfate, water 3. Neo-Hitenol L-30 Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, water 4. Neocol YSK Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, water, isopropyl alcohol 5. Neo-Hitenol ECL-30S Sodium laureth-4 acetate, water 6. Plysurf A208B Laureth-2 phospahate 7. Catiogen TMP Cetrimonium chloride, water

A device for detecting residual detergent will now be described.

Into a hollow container 3 (FIG. 1A) having flexibility and a pointed portion shown in FIG. 1 and containing a glass ampule 5, a composition A containing an oxalate, a fluorescent substance, and an organic solvent is charged. Into the glass ampule, a composition B containing hydrogen peroxide, an organic strong acid, and an organic solvent is charged and sealed. Note that the hollow container 3 is composed of polyethylene and formed by blowing. Subsequently, the neck portion of the hollow container 3 was stretched under heating so as to seal the pointed portion (FIG. 1B). In use, the entire structure is bent to break the glass ampule inside so as to mix the composition A with the composition B. Then the pointed tip portion was cut to form an opening, and a flexible bulged portion of the hollow container 3 was pressed to drop the content onto a test subject (FIG. 1C).

FIGS. 3 and 5 show examples in which the composition A and the composition B are stored in separate containers. The composition in one container may be transferred to the other container to conduct mixing or the composition A and the composition B may be transferred to another container having a cap with a nozzle to conduct mixing, as shown in FIG. 4. The method for mixing is not limited to these as long as the compositions are stored separately.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, emission can be readily recognized with naked eye by directly applying or dropping the testing agent onto a test subject, and thus the presence or absence of residual detergent can be easily and conveniently identified. 

1. A method of detecting detergent adhering on a surface of a test subject, comprising: preparing a composition comprising an oxalate, a fluorescent substance, hydrogen peroxide, and a strong acid, the composition containing strong acid sufficient to inhibit the chemiluminescence in an absence of a surfactant; bringing the detergent adhering on a surface of the test subject into contact with the composition; and monitoring chemiluminescence, thereby detecting residual detergent.
 2. The method of detecting detergent, according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent substance is capable of emitting blue light by the chemiluminescence.
 3. The method of detecting detergent according to claim 1, wherein the step of bringing the test subject into contact with a composition comprises directly applying or dropping the composition on the test subject and the chemiluminescence occurs on the surface onto which the composition is applied or a portion onto which the composition is dropped.
 4. The method of detecting detergent according to claim 1, wherein the step of bringing the test subject into contact with the composition comprises wiping a test portion of the test subject with a detecting medium so as to transfer the detergent adhering on a surface of the test portion onto the detecting medium.
 5. The method of detecting detergent according to claim 1, the monitoring of chemiluminescence is carried out with naked eye.
 6. The method of detecting detergent according to claim 4, wherein the detecting medium comprises a fibrous member impregnated with the composition. 